This exercise is about the ability to appreciate what we have and feel thankful for it.

“One steps forwards and then rocks back and forth from one foot to the other. In the first sequence the hands are free; in the second, the partners hold hands… These movements develop the ability to appreciate nature’s bounties” [Beinsa Douno, Paneurhythmy, p.82]

QUESTIONS

1.Text: What makes people happy in the text? Write in your own beautiful words a sentence/ essay/ poem about happiness and feeling grateful.

2.Drawing: Draw an illustration to the exercise.

3.Questions: What is happiness? What makes you happy? What is it that you are grateful for?

4.Experience:Tell us of situations and experiences when you have felt gratitude.

5.Imagination: Imagine while you play the exercise that you have everything you need – wonderful garment, freedom of expression and movement, loving friends etc.

6.Affirmations: Write a positive affirmation about How Happy We Are. For example: I am thankful for what I have.

7. Quotes: Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times (Aeschylus). Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony (Thomas Merton). Find your favorite quote for How happy we are.

Arms: For the whole cycle the hands are on the hips, thumbs behind, elbows to the sides.

1:

a.b.

Legs: The right foot steps.

Duration: 1 measure.

2:

Legs: The left foot steps.

Duration: 1 measure.

3:

Legs: The right foot steps and the weight of the body transfers to it. Next, the left foot bends in the knee and slightly lifts off the ground to the back.

Duration: 1 measure.

4:

Legs: The left foot returns to its place to the back and the weight of the body transfers to it. Next, the right foot bends in the knee and lifts off the ground

Duration: 1 measure.

Movements 1-4 repeat 4 times.

FP for the cycle:

Arms: Hands on the hips, thumbs behind, elbows to the sides

Legs: The right foot is bent in the knee and lifted off the ground.

2. TWO STEPS AND TO THE BACK

SP:

Arms: Hands on the hips, thumbs behind, elbows to the sides

Legs: The right foot is bent in the knee and lifted off the ground.

1:

a.b.

Arms: Hands move down by the sides of the body and slightly to the back. Partners join their inside hands, right palm over left palm, and start moving them forwards and upwards, stretched in the elbows. The free outside hands move up parallel to the inside, stretched in the elbows and in the wrists.

Legs: The right foot steps forward and the weight of the body transfers to it. Next, the left foot bends in the knee and lifts off the ground to the back.

Duration: 1 measure.

2:

a.b.

Arms:The hands continue their movement up to 45 degrees upwards and forwards.

Legs: First, the left foot steps forward and the weight of the body transfers to it. Next, the right foot bends in the knee and slightly lifts off the ground to the back.

Duration: 1 measure.

3:

Arms: The arms move down, elbows stretched, to retrace their way down and to the back to 45°.

Legs: The right foot returns to its place to the back and the weight of the body transfers to it. Next, the left foot slightly bends in the knee and lifts off the ground

Duration: 1 measure.

Movements 1-3 repeat symmetrically with 4-6, starting with the left foot.

5b6b

Movements 1-6 repeat 2 times + 4 movements, total 16 movements.

Cycles 1+2 repeat 2 times.

FP for the exercise:

After the last position 4 of cycle Two Steps (arms forwards and downwards, right foot lifted off the ground to the back) the arms continue their movement to a position upwards and forwards and the right foot steps forward.

After the exercise is over the arms move down by the sides. Legs come together in standing position.

VERSIONS

The music has a long version of 160 measures and cycles 1+2 repeat 5 times.